Mumbai attacks trial ends, no verdict yet

The trial of a Pakistani suspected of being the only surviving gunman from the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, which left 166 people dead, ended on Wednesday. The verdict is due on 3 May. Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman faces the death penalty if he is convicted. He stands accused on scores of charges, including waging war against India, and murder.

Demonstration against terror attacks outside the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai on 3 December 2008. Reuters

Over the three days of massacre in Mumbai in November 2008, ten men killed 166 people at luxury hotels, a tourist restaurant, the city’s main railway station and a Jewish centre.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman alias "Kasab" is alleged to be the only surviving gunman and has been on trial since April last year.

During his final arguments, the state prosecutor called Kasab a "conniving, depraved murderer", who was trained by the Pakistan-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

When the trial began, Kasab had initially pleaded not guilty, but in July he  admitted being one of two gunmen responsible for the massacre at Mumbai’s busy train station. He also pointed out in detail how the group was trained by the banned LeT and asked for swift justice.

In December, he revoked his confession and said he had been framed by the Indian police.

Together with an accomplice who died during the carnage, Kasab is alleged to have committed the bloodiest episode in the three-day attacks, shooting people with assault rifles and throwing grenades in the station. Some 52 people died and some 109 others were wounded there.

Last week, the United States said it had not yet decided whether to give India direct access to a man in custody in Chicago who identified targets ahead of the attacks.

David Headley last week pleaded guilty to 12 charges of conspiring in the attacks. He has agreed to cooperate with the US in the process of investigation. In return for his guilty plea, he is set to avoid the death penalty and extradition to India.

Seven Pakistani men, alleged to have been planning the November 2008 attacks, are on trial in Pakistan, where the case has been regularly adjourned.